starter grinding

[kelley002]

I have a 1984 Bronco ll with a grinding starter. I have replaced the starter now 4 times and the flywheel once. I even tried shims that were suggested. Its 2.8 with 5 speed manual transmission. Any ideas on what else it could be? Once it does ingage it grinds.Sometimes it grinds & never turns over.

 

[Bronco II]

I've never heard of shimming one of the Bronco II / Ranger / Explorer starters to keep them from grinding. Do you have the separator plate that goes between the engine & transmission? The separator plate aligns the starter motor to the flywheel & it will cause it to grind & chew up the teeth on the starter & flywheel.